Performers

The focus on Benjamin Britten and his contemporaries continues with the world premiere of his Elegy for strings. Written six years before the Simple Symphony, this eloquent early miniature is contrasted with works by Tippett and Walton in the Proms debut of Camerata Nordica. Violinist Terje Tønnesen directs the Swedish ensemble as well as viola player Catherine Bullock in Lachrymae, arranged for string orchestra by Britten in the last year of his life. Tippett’s Little Music for strings and Walton’s Sonata for strings, another 1970s arrangement of a 1940s work, complete an all-British string ensemble matinee.

Two great British works for voice and string orchestra appear in the second Proms Saturday Matinee, which focuses on Britten and his peers. Sarah Connolly joins conductor Sian Edwards and the Britten...